2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of the Swedish brand's rebirth under Geely Holding Group, showcased a blend of elegance and innovation. Built on Volvo's SPA platform, the XC60 shared its architecture with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles, offering a near-luxury experience. Its design featured a tailored two-box crossover style with short overhangs and athletic body sides. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo's iron mark logo, complemented by Thor's hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian charm with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, and the attention to detail in elements like the HVAC vents elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX continued to impress with its modern and sporty design, especially after its 2020 facelift. The RX's exterior featured sharp character lines and angular boomerang-like elements, resulting in an eye-catching design. The F Sport models added performance-oriented touches, including 20-inch wheels and unique front fascia. Inside, the RX maintained its luxury appeal, with F Sport models adding sporty accents like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. However, the centre stack felt dated, and the abundance of buttons detracted from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the RX offered a high-quality feel with soft-touch surfaces and a range of interior options.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 model added a supercharger for 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, including the Polestar Engineered variant, combined a turbocharged engine with an electric motor, delivering up to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth and confident driving experience, making it an excellent choice for road trips. Fuel consumption figures ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the RX 450h hybrid added electric motors for a combined output of 308 hp. Despite its F Sport designation, the RX's performance fell short of expectations, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The RX offered various drive modes, including Sport and Sport+, but the differences in driving dynamics were minimal. However, the RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long journeys. Fuel consumption for the RX 350 was 12.2 L/100 km city and 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 7.9 L/100 km combined.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with a focus on practicality. Its front seats offered excellent adjustability, and the heating system performed admirably in winter conditions. The XC60 provided smart storage solutions throughout the cabin, with intuitive controls for passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 613 litres behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The XC60's towing capacity was rated at 1,587 kilograms.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered a spacious interior with 2,826 litres of passenger volume in the standard two-row configuration. While it could accommodate five passengers, the rear middle seat was best suited for short trips. The RX 350 L featured a 2/3/2 seating configuration, with limited cargo space when all seats were in use. Cargo capacity ranged from 453 litres behind the second row to 1,657 litres with both back rows folded. The RX included thoughtful interior features like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, but the rear seats did not fold completely flat.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. While it offered intuitive swipe and pinch gestures, there was a learning curve for users. The system divided the screen into function quadrants, allowing easy access to audio, navigation, and other features. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with an exceptional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system available.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available on higher trims. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the touchscreen's positioning was ergonomically challenging. The RX offered voice commands and a touchpad for infotainment control, but the touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive. The RX included a range of tech features, such as six USB ports, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot, along with premium audio systems and climate control options.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 180 km/h for safety.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but only with optional triple-beam LED headlights. It scored four stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests.